3 years agoWith Opening Day less than a week away, it was announced that Lance Lynn has a small tear in his right knee tendon which requires surgery and will sideline him for approximately four weeks. Assuming Lynn recovers well, he'll likely need some time to build up before he's ready to make his season debut, likely in late May. Lynn did miss ten days with right knee inflammation towards the end of last year and it's unclear if this has been a lingering problem but regardless of that, this injury will be certain to prevent Lynn from providing fantasy value as the SP2 he's been taken throughout draft season. Assuming Lynn can get back on the mound in May, ~120.0 IP is still in play (he had 104.1 IP after June 01st in 2021) and his body of work can't be faulted when he is healthy. Last year saw Lynn put up a career-low 2.69 ERA and his numbers were strikingly similar to what he'd posted in the prior two years with a 27.5% K% and 7.0% BB% (both matching his 2019-20 numbers). His 1.07 WHIP was better than anything he'd had pre-2020 while his 2.62 xERA was a career-best. Lynn's 3.82 xFIP and 3.72 SIERA were the best he's had in six years too. In 28 starts last year, Lynn managed 13 quality starts and despite a potent White Sox offense and bullpen, he managed just 11 wins. Of the 55 pitchers who managed 150+ IP last year, Lynn's 20.4% K%-BB% was tied-15th best. Lynn will turn 35 years old during the season and following two IL stints last year and knee surgery just days before Opening Day, it might be time to consider if Mr. Reliable is still durable enough to warrant that moniker. I don't expect much performance regression if he is fully healthy, but that 'if' is becoming an issue.--Jamie Steed - RotoBaller